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Monday, July 14, 2014

On the Road with SCP- Embrace Amidst the Orange Blossoms- Louise Roberts

Embrace Amidst Orange Blossoms

Blurb:

It is the spring of 1622. Soldiers are arriving at the port
of Seville from a gruelling war in the Netherlands. Amongst them Don Iago
Borja, heir to the Estates of the Villa Sant’Angelo near the village of Cullera
in the province of Valencia in eastern Spain. After a five year absence Iago is
anxious to return home.He is pleased to find his uncle’s ship the Santa
Theresa in the harbor and more so when he is told he is sailing for
Valencia. As the ship departs, Iago is delighted on discovering his uncle’s
beautiful daughter, Elena, is also aboard.However the scars of battle and a mental conflict of
loyalty with his uncle have Iago wondering if love with Elena is possible?Will Iago’s inner demons prove to be too large an obstacle
or will he be able to overcome his feelings of guilt?

Author bio:

Louise Roberts was born in Alexandria, Egypt in August 1951
to British parents by Maltese descent. Following the Suez Crisis in November
1956 her parents were compelled to abandon their assets and home, and leave the
country as political refugees. Louise grew up and was educated in London,
England and has always held a passion for history and English Literature.In 1988 she immigrated to Sydney, Australia and presently
lives with her family in the northern bushland suburb of Berowra, which is
located just south of the Hawkesbury River.

Laughing and
music emerged from various tavernas which were scattered along the
waterfront, but to her, the sounds seemed muted as she slipped in and out of
her own private thoughts. She wondered about the future and what her Valencian
family was like. She had heard about them from her father, and now she longed
to meet them, especially Dorotea who was of similar age.

A sudden
noise made her turn around. The crew had begun to make the ship ready for their
departure at midnight when high tide was expected. Men were running up the
ratlines to the yards. The Bosun was calling out instructions, as men ran
barefoot for ‘ad and aft carrying bits of nautical equipment. Provisions were
being brought up from the quay in large nets and were lowered into the hold by men
pulling ropes which had been strung up through pulleys suspended from mast
jibs. There were barrels of fresh water and casks of wine, barrels of salted
fish, sacks of flour and grain, boxes of fruit and vegetables.

Elena was
slowly becoming dizzy by all the activity, and although she wished to return to
the safety of her cabin, she did not dare to move for fear of being knocked
over by any of the mariners who were rushing about. If only her father would
rescue her, as captain of the ship however he was far too busy somewhere else.
She turned back to face the town, at least psychologically, it provided her
with a temporary sanctuary from the hectic madness about her. She had been
aboard since late afternoon when her grandparents had accompanied their granddaughter
to their son-in-law’s vessel. Don Gregario had arrived a mere two days
previously to arrange for his daughter, Elena, to accompany him to their
family’s property in Cullera in the province of Valencia.

As she
stared into the darkness she could see two men who appeared to be arguing. One
of them seemed relatively young, perhaps not much older than herself. She could
vaguely make out that he was well attired, and looked like one of the soldiers
she and her grandfather had seen in the port a few days before. From what she
could make out he appeared tall though of a stocky muscular build. The other
man was much older and more rugged. He was looking over the young man’s horse.
She surmised they must be arguing over a price for the animal.

Finally
after a great deal of gesticulations on the part of the older man the
transaction seemed to conclude. The young man rubbed the horse’s nose as if to
say farewell. After removing the saddle and bags from its back, he swung them
over his own shoulder, his distinct posture buckling from their weight.

As the
rugged man moved away leading his new acquisition, she saw the younger man
trudge up the gang plank onto the ship. Curiosity and unexpected excitement
gripped her, making her heart race. She edged forward, leaning over the
guardrail enabling her to glance amidships. Elena followed his progress as he
stepped on board. Light from several lanterns which had been secured to the
main mast shone onto the stranger.

She saw the
Bosun stop momentarily from his duties and walk over to him. They seemed
genuinely pleased to meet as they wrapped their arms about each other in a
friendly hug. Another old mariner also approached his voice loud amongst the
bustle of surrounding sounds to offer a welcome and to assist the young man
with his baggage. Their exchanges were jovial and Elena could hear them
laughing at some inaudible comment. She watched the Bosun shake the young man’s
hand before he returned to his duties.

Elena froze
as the stranger and the old sailor walked toward where she was standing. As
they approached, she could now see that she had been right in her assessment of
his height and build, but now she could also make out he had certain handsome
features. Her eyes remained fixed on him as they came nearer to the doorway
which led to the cabins beneath the stern quarterdeck. Although she had thought
he had not seen her, when they arrived at the entrance, he stopped, looked up
at her, removed his hat in a sweeping motion, and bowed low.

Even though
it was just a mere instant that their eyes had met in the dim light, she could
feel a strong sensuality about him which sent ripples of pleasure through her
skin and her nipples hardened. Her breathing became shallower. She felt a warm
wetness between her thighs and her pulse quickened when she saw his face
clearly in the light of the doorway lantern. Although he was smiling at her,
she sensed something was not quite what it seemed. The uncertainty of her
earlier carnal reaction made her shiver as though cold, making her long for the
warmth of her cabin. Elena downcast her eyes and made a simple short curtsey in
response. When she looked up again, he was gone.

Excerpt 2

The
gardens of the Alcazaba, a Moorish word describing a citadel, were delightful
with a vivid display of flowering shrubs and fruit trees amid the stone walls
of the ancient fortress. It had been built by the Moors in the eleventh century
on the remnants of a Roman structure. Its position at the top of a hill
commanded magnificent views of the town and the sea. At its base a Roman
theatre added charisma to an already magnificent structure.

Iago
and Elena had walked leisurely to it with Magdalena acting as chaperon at a
discreet distance. Although within view, so as not to be vulnerable to unwanted
attention and with the protection of her mistress’s companion.

The
sun had risen just after seven that morning and it was promising to be another
warm day. A light scattering of white soft clouds added welcomed shadows from
time to time, keeping the heat at bay. As they viewed the impressive buildings,
fountains and palaces, her arm held through his absent-mindedly whilst talking
about their aspirations.

“What
will you do when you return home?” Elena asked sincerely.

“At
this stage I am uncertain. Your father has always wished I would take command
of the Santa Theresa as I believe he wishes to retire, but I too am
tired of adventures.”

“My
father would retire? I find this hard to believe.” Elena responded in an amused
tone. “He knows nothing of the word. As long as I have known him he has always
been at sea.”

“Then
perhaps it is why he wishes to give it up and enjoy his daughter’s company for
his remaining ancient years.”

“He
is not that ancient, Iago. Don’t let him hear you describe him such.”

“I
have no intention of saying it to his face. I respect him far too much to
dishonor him so, but the truth of it cannot escape him or us.”

“So
you would captain the Santa Theresa?”

“There
was a time I had considered it but that was before I met you. I will wait until
I can assess my options at home. As I said to you before I need to see what
awaits me before I can make a decision on my future.”

“I
hope I will be part of that future?” Elena said longingly, pulling him close to
her.

Iago
stopped walking and turned to face her. He lowered his head as she looked up at
him and kissed her gently on the lips. Their eyes open, staring deep into each
other’s souls he answered “Nothing in this world would be able to tear me away
from your company.” And as the words left his mouth he was overcome with a
burning urge to make love to her there and then. He looked about and espied a
seemingly deserted alcove. He then glanced around searching for Magdalena.
Comfortable that she was a safe distance, he guided Elena to the private
sanctuary, and then holding her tightly to his person let his hands explore her
body.

Elena
was delighted at the risqué venture her cousin was plying and she
eagerly encouraged him by gripping his hand and placing it between her legs. He
needed no further persuasion to lift up her skirts and stroke her swollen vulva
through her soft curls. She fumbled at his lacings, undoing his breeches,
exposing his very hard and erect penis. Iago gasped, drunk by the pleasure of
the moment, as she guided him to her. His hands moved to her buttocks lifting
her to level his height so that she could position herself onto him. She
wrapped her legs about his waist for support and drew him closer. Her arms
about his shoulders pulling him in as far as she could, whilst all the time
their lips were locked in a never-ending embrace. The excitement and the
passion of their love-making and the ambiance of their surroundings, all
intermingled into a climatic ecstasy. They held each other for what seemed an
eternity. The urgency of their love-making had left them exhausted and
perspiring. Their kissing subsided becoming gentler, taking a moment or two to
compose themselves before stumbling from the shadows laughing at their madness.